Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain and success rate following pulpotomy and root canal treatment.
Methodology: Fifty-four permanent teeth with carious exposures were randomly divided equally into 2 groups. Mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy was performed in the experimental group and root canal treatment was performed in the control group, using standardized protocols. The treated teeth were restored with base of glass-ionomer cement followed by composite restoration. Pain was recorded every 24 hours for 7 days after intervention. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were done every 3 months for 18 months. The data collected were statistically analyzed.
Results: At the end of follow-up, overall success rate was 85% in the pulpotomy group and 87.5% in the root canal treatment group (P > .05). Significant difference in pain incidence and pain reduction was found between the 2 groups (P < .05), with lower scores reported in the pulpotomy group.
Conclusion: Pulpotomy can be an alternative treatment for management of symptomatic permanent teeth with deep caries lesions.
Keywords: Mineral trioxide aggregate; periapical index; postoperative pain; pulpotomy; root canal treatment; success.
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